Ever heard of Disc Golf? We hadn’t either until we discovered the Disc Golf course at Styles Point Reserve in Rathmines. Take your family around the course and learn the fun outdoor game of Disc Golf. All you need to bring is a frisbee! This course is set in a beautiful lakeside area, shaded under […]

The kids will go wild at the new playground, skate park, and pump track at Rathmines. Built with adventure in mind their hardest decision will be which area to investigate first! Rathmines Pump Track The pump track is of good length and has a few features that beginners on skateboards or scooters can navigate comfortably. […]

A stunning coastal viewpoint meets gorgeous native heath on the coast of Lake Macquarie. This is where you’ll find Awabakal Nature Reserve. On this adventure walk you’ll find plenty of surprises. I never get bored experiencing a new perspective of Lake Mac. The Awabakal Reserve coastal bushland stretches approximately 228 ha from Dudley to Redhead […]

It’s hard to imagine this quiet and peaceful town was once filled with the noise of plane engines roaring. Rathmines Park was once home to the largest flying boat base in the Southern Hemisphere. The Rathmines RAAF seaplane base played a pivotal role in defending Australia in World War II.  Now, you’ll find wide-open green […]

We love our fur babies. There’s nothing better than coming home to a friendly face who’s ecstatic to see you walk through the door. Where have you been? Why did you leave me so long? Promise me you’ll never leave me again? Tail wagging while he follows you around the house. No wonder it’s said […]

We’re spoilt for choice with family walks in Lake Macquarie. From the bush to the coastal tracks, there are plenty of options to enjoy with your kids. Here are some of our favourites. All of them are different and cater for little kids, as well as big kids. Make sure you visit our Family Walks […]

Did you know about the Spring bird migration that happens every year at Pirrita Island Swansea? Travelling epic journeys from the Arctic Circle, shorebirds arrive tired and hungry on the shoreline of Pirrita Island. Sit and watch the birds gather in mass numbers. Birds fan out across the sandflats searching for food. This nature reserve […]

Belmont Baths For many years, Belmont Baths has been a popular local haunt nestled on the shores of Lake Mac. Families would put up an umbrella during summer in the 1970s and sit on the foreshore grass soaking in the atmosphere. Fast forward to today, local families still flock in numbers to this peaceful spot. […]

At the back of Catherine Hill Bay, past the new development, is an unpatrolled stretch of beach like nothing you’ve seen before. As a child, this pristine sandy coast was a favourite spot for our family. Before you hit the sand, you’ll have to pass through a multi-million dollar sterile estate. However, once you set […]

Tucked away at the back of Swansea Lakeside Caravan Park, is the gorgeous Osmond Reserve. You’ll enjoy a beautiful location to look out across Lake Macquarie, with picnic tables, and a path through the reserve. In summer this spot is very popular with locals, and a lovely area for the kids to swim with a […]

So many times during this adventure we stopped, closed our eyes, and listened to the wildlife. The birds stood out from the familiar cry of the black crow to the chattering sounds of our happy lorikeets. We have admired this spot from the water many times, but now it’s taken on a new perspective. The […]

Pack your kids in the car and head to Blue Gum Hills Regional Park in Minmi. You’ll find walking trails, a maze, BBQ’s and picnic tables as well as Treetops Newcastle. With so many different activities your family can enjoy, all in one place, prepare for an adventurous day. Getting to Blue Gum Hills Regional […]

When I was a child, my dad used to take us down to explore the rock pools at Swansea Heads. It seems like yesterday when he volunteered for the Coast Guard to monitor traffic in and out of the channel. The coast guard sits perched on the bluff of Swansea heads but beneath the headland […]

The pump track at Wallsend Active Hub is a great place to grab the bikes, scooters, and skateboards, and head with the kids. This track is ideal for younger riders, or those who are learning how to use a pump track and build confidence.  Getting to Wallsend Active Hub Head to Federal Park on Boscawen […]

If you’re looking for a playground with lots of space for the kids to run and play, then Blackalls Park Playground will be a big hit. Kids can explore the foreshore, fossicking for shells and stones to skim across the water. Then jump on the equipment and climb and play. Spread out the picnic rug […]

In the beach culture of Caves Beach, the main attraction has always been the sea caves. This unmistakable tourist attraction is almost a diversion from the real beauty of the area. As we swam peacefully at Spoon Rock Bay, you could see the masses who had flocked to Caves Beach. Yet here, just a short […]

When your kids begin to gasp as you drive into the car park, you know it must be a good playground. Kilaben Bay Reserve Playground is a climber’s haven that’s for sure, with a web of obstacle-type nets to explore. My kids jumped out of the car and headed straight for the big swing. Considering […]

Hidden at the back of the old Sanitarium factory, is the Cooranbong swing bridge. The bridge is full of character and history. The swing bridge is well known to the locals on the western side of Lake Macquarie. However, it’s also a well-kept secret. At first, it’s a little tricky to find, especially if you’re […]

It’s one of our all-time favourite walking tracks, and now the Fernleigh Track continues all the way through to Blacksmiths. It’s enjoyed by cyclists, walkers and young families from Lake Mac and beyond. Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track offers a unique glimpse of a hidden part of Lake Macquarie. Explore this section of the Fernleigh Track […]

Once you’re heading along the windy road surrounded by bush as you travel into Catherine Hill Bay, you begin to get a flavour for the place. Catherine Hill Bay is the oldest continuous settlement in our Lake Macquarie area. You can still see the original miner’s cottages and the site of the original pub when […]

Sometimes I can’t believe how lucky we are to have these amazing places all around us. Discover and explore the inter-connecting sea caves at Caves Beach’s southern end. You’ll marvel at yet another one of our breathtaking natural attractions here in Lake Macquarie. Before jumping in the car, check the tide, because the caves can […]

Kids on the western side of Lake Macquarie, have an awesome playground in Cooranbong. Not far from the Elephant Shop, this playground is the talk of the town. One of the most picturesque settings, the playground is surrounded by gorgeous trees, creating a harmonious blend of nature and fun. Add Cooranbong Reserve Playground to your […]

From the moment you begin this trail, you’ll see the work that has gone into the area’s regeneration, preservation, and conservation—a credit to Landcare, Lake Macquarie Council, and especially the work of community volunteers. We walked amongst the native ferns, along the bushland trail navigating along Galgabba Point Walk to the magnificent point—a viewpoint of […]

Even though the Watagans State Forest is technically in the Cessnock Council area, you won’t get a better aerial view of Lake Macquarie.  Well, unless you jump out of a plane that is. It might be good for some of us, but I’m more of a nature lover than a skydiver. I hadn’t been to […]

Green Point connects the suburbs of Belmont and Valentine through Green Point Reserve.  From Belmont, you can walk along a flat path to the picturesque Green Point Foreshore at Cardiff Point. Cardiff Point was named after the Cardiff Colliery that operated at Valentine. Entering via Valentine is a walk of discovery, as the natural stairs […]

Awabakal people called it Ky-yee-bah, meaning ‘place of games’ and held events here such as canoe races in large gatherings. Vast flocks of pelicans who inhabited Lake Macquarie gave Pelican its name. With a population of around 880, the Lake Macquarie suburb of Pelican now hosts a gorgeous family-friendly foreshore. Pelican Foreshore Playground is only […]

From the surfboard flying fox to the wave-shaped climbing net, Webb Park Playground captures Redhead’s beach culture perfectly. You’ll love the unique design and thought which has gone into this playground. Redhead is one of our favourite local haunts for families with the beach, this unique playground, Owens walk, and visiting the ducks. Flying fox […]

Overlooking our beautiful Lake is Warners Bay playground which has been beautifully landscaped with two separate areas for play. This playground remains a favourite for local families and seasonal visitors. An abundance of convenient street parking and a car park on John Street, just behind the park, makes it an easy place to visit. While […]

Warners Bay is a little slice of paradise on the shores of Lake Macquarie. Just 15 km from Newcastle and an hour and a half north of Sydney. When you arrive you instantly feel in holiday mode. With a beautiful foreshore overlooked by restaurants, cafes, and shops, you can easily spend a few hours here enjoying […]

Attunga Park sits in the centre of Charlestown. A wide open space, perfect for kicking a ball around or a weekend game of cricket with the family. Perched beside it is the playground, and the locals love it! Getting to Attunga Park It’s super easy to find and even though there’s no designated car park, […]